The Question of Morality Film Noir
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date published 11/04/2008
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SummaryMoral ambiguity is a central theme in John Huston’s film The Maltese Falcon (1941) and in Billy Wilder’s film Double Indemnity (1944) and James M. Cain’s novel by the same title. The films and novel follow characters whose motives are questionable and morally problematic. This essay will discuss these characters’ motives, the effect of the motives on the message and plot of the films and novel, and how noir filming techniques help to portray moral ambiguity. Complex ideas such as “What is moral, what is morality?” are shown in these films with complex cinematic setups. This essay will also show how the message of Wilder’s film Double Indemnity differs from the message of Cain’s novel Double Indemnity.
Keywords: Double Indemnity, Billy Wilder, Moral ambiguity, Sam Spade
Keywords: Double Indemnity, Billy Wilder, Moral ambiguity, Sam Spade
Table of Contents
- In the film The Maltese Falcon, the morality of private detective Sam Spade is in question.
- Spade's motives are no longer matters of morality.
- Spade ultimately turns Brigid over to the authorities, and his motives are no longer in question.
- The lack of shadows around Neff's face suggests Neff is being honest.
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